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Social isolation affects physical functioning owing to psychological stress. We constructed a rat model to clarify the unexplored effects of social isolation and to determine whether environmental changes as an intervention against social isolation can reduce the stress-inducing effects of social isolation on physiological factors. Eight-week-old male rats were divided into three groups: group-housed, isolated, and intervention. Group-housed rats were kept 2 animals per cage. Isolated rats were kept 1 rat per cage. The intervention group alternated between the isolation and group-housed conditions. All rats were euthanized after 21 days. Their plasma, masseter muscles, and lower limb muscles were collected. Body weight, food intake, locomotor activity, muscle weight, and plasma corticosterone, ghrelin, and myostatin levels were measured. The results indicated that there were no significant differences between the group-housed and intervention groups for all outcomes. However, weight gain, food intake, and plasma corticosterone levels were higher in the isolated group than in the group-housed group. Plasma myostatin levels were higher in the isolated group than in the intervention group. Plasma ghrelin concentrations were lower in the isolated group than in the group-housed or intervention groups. In the isolated group, locomotor activity decreased compared to that in the intervention group. The lower limb muscle weight ratio also decreased in the isolated group compared to that in the group-housed and intervention groups. In conclusion, isolation decreased physical activity and affected body weight, food intake, and muscle weight; these changes were associated with corticosterone as a stress marker, ghrelin as an appetite-related factor, and myostatin, which is a growth inhibitor of skeletal muscles. Moreover, these changes were suppressed when the isolation time was reduced in the intervention group. The present study suggests that intermittent breaking of isolation may reduce the physical effects of isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Our understanding of laboratory animal behavior and the implications of husbandry activities on their wellbeing remains incomplete. This is especially relevant with an aging colony as their activity patterns may change as they mature. Home Cage Monitoring (HCM) provides valuable insights into mouse activity within the animal's own environment and can shed light on acclimatization periods and responses to husbandry activities such as cage changing. The aim of this study was to monitor and explore changes in the activity and rest disturbance (RDI) patterns of an aging colony of male and female C57/BL6 mice. Methods: The mice were housed in the Digitally Ventilated Cage® system, for up to 18 months of age. Data was then downloaded to investigate how the activity patterns and RDI of the mice changed over time. Habituation, aging and cage change assessments were conducted using linear mixed models, while cage separation and stereotypic behavior investigations were conducted by visual inspection of the data. Results: As expected during the study, mice were less active during the light phase compared to the dark phase. However, on arrival mice displayed heightened activity and RDI during the light phase and reduced activity and RDI during the dark phase, taking several days to adjust to baseline "acclimatized" patterns. With age, overall activity significantly decreased from 5 months until 14 months of age, after which it increased back toward baseline levels. We also observed activity spikes during our monitoring of this colony. Prolonged housing can lead to alarming stereotypic behaviors in animals. Cages of mice flagged for potential stereotypy displayed sustained activity spikes in the light and dark phases. Spikes in activity during the dark phase were much more pronounced than in the light phase. Cage changing led to an increase in the light phase activity and RDI compared to the previous day, with no observed difference in the dark phase post-cage change. This effect remained consistent as the animals aged. Discussion: This study explores changes in the activity patterns of an aging colony of male and female C57/BL6 mice housed in the Digitally Ventilated Cage® system. We identified distinct aging phases concerning activity and RDI differences and a potential new welfare application for the DVC®, specifically for early detection of stereotypy. In conclusion, the adoption of HCM systems should be considered for long-term animal housing from both a welfare and behavioral perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. In recent years, public concern regarding animal welfare has increased while, at the same time, cage systems for animal production have been greatly criticised by EU citizens. In addition, large food retailers promote food products that are made with eggs produced in cage-free systems. 2. The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic viability of the transition of laying hens' to production systems; from conventional to alternative systems with improved welfare. Three independent scenarios were assumed as follows: transition from enriched colony cages to barn (S1), transition from barn to free-range (S2), and transition from free-range to organic (S3). Economic assessments of each transition was applied to a model farm in Greece with 12 000 hens, through partial budget analysis and net benefits and costs were estimated. 3. The results showed a positive economic impact in all transitions to a production system of improved animal welfare (€12,044 in S1, €18,957 in S2 and €7,977 in S3) which indicated that they are economically sustainable. In all scenarios, unit cost increased by 19% in S1, 12% in S2, and 85% in S3. 4. In conclusion, transitioning towards improved animal welfare production systems in laying hen farms could be an economically viable option for egg producers in compliance with societal demands and market trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While wildlife tourism may impact the animals it targets, it plays a critical role in public education and conservation awareness. Understanding changes in animal behaviour in response to tourism activities can inform the trade-offs between negative impacts and socioeconomic benefits. There are public claims that cage-diving activities may condition white sharks, Carcharodon carcharias , to interact with boats, and may potentially increasing risk of shark bites. We tracked the fine-scale movements of 73 white sharks in relation to cage-diving boats using acoustic telemetry between 2018 and 2022 at Neptune Islands, Australia, to investigate associative behaviour and factors potentially influencing residency and time spent in proximity to the cage-diving boats. White sharks spent gradually less time near cage-diving boats throughout their residency at the tourism site. This behaviour was consistent across individuals, years, sexes and sizes. Sharks, however, resumed their natural behaviours (i.e. initial amount of time near the cage-diving boats) each time they returned to Neptune Islands, suggesting that the observed habituation (i.e. loss of response to the stimulus used to attract sharks) did not last for long periods. These trends support the lack of long-term learnt behaviour of white sharks increasingly interacting with boats. Our results indicate that current management strategies such as regulating the number of days the industry can operate at the site and the amount of food-based attractant used, and reducing the amount of bait consumed can limit associative behaviour between white sharks and boats, while enabling continued opportunities for white shark tourism. Understanding how wildlife associate with humans can help ensure that best practices are in place for both the targeted animals and the people involved, particularly in the case of threatened and potentially dangerous species. • Shark responses to food-based attractant and tourism boats were reduced within days. • Natural behaviour resumed each time sharks returned to the tourism site. • Reduction in time near boats was consistent across sharks, years, sexes and sizes. • Residency varied across individuals but not time, supporting no long-term effects. • Current management and limited consumption of baits prevents conditioned behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last two decades, animal models have been used to evaluate the physiological and cognitive effects of mobile phone exposure. Here, we used a head-only exposure system in rats to determine whether exposure to 900 MHz GSM electromagnetic fields (EMFs) induces regional changes in neuronal activation as revealed by c-Fos imaging. In a first study, rats were exposed for 2 h to brain average specific absorption rates (BASARs) ranging from 0.5 to 6 W/kg. Changes in neuronal activation were found to be dose-dependent, with significant increases in c-Fos expression occurring at BASAR of 1 W/kg in prelimbic, infralimbic, frontal, and cingulate cortices. In a second study, rats were submitted to either a spatial working memory (WM) task in a radial maze or a spatial reference memory (RM) task in an open field arena. Exposures (45 min) were conducted before each daily training session (BASARs of 1 and 3.5 W/kg). Control groups included sham-exposed and control cage animals. In both tasks, behavioral performance evolved similarly in the four groups over testing days. However, c-Fos staining was significantly reduced in cortical areas (prelimbic, infralimbic, frontal, cingulate, and visual cortices) and in the hippocampus of animals engaged in the WM task (BASARs of 1 and 3.5 W/kg). In the RM task, EMF exposure-induced decreases were limited to temporal and visual cortices (BASAR of 1 W/kg). These results demonstrate that both acute and subchronic exposures to 900 MHz EMFs can produce region-specific changes in brain activity patterns, which are, however, insufficient to induce detectable cognitive deficits in the behavioral paradigms used here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research problem is whether the technical aspects of raising buffalo livestock in West Aceh Regency have been implemented properly and correctly in accordance with the DITJENNAK guidelines of 1992 by buffalo breeders in West Aceh Regency. This research aims to examine the implementation of technical aspects of local buffalo rearing in West Aceh Regency. The research locations covered 25 villages (5 villages each district), namely in 5 villages Johan Pahlawan, Mereubo, Kaway XVI and Samatiga District. This study used a survey method of 100 buffalo breeders using a questionnaire. The parameters were 1) aspects of breeding and reproduction, 2) food, maintenance management, 3) health, 4) cages and equipment. The sampling technique is random and the number of samples is determined deliberately taking into consideration the breeders who are willing to be interviewed. The data obtained is processed by calculating the percentage score and then compared with the categories set by the Directorate General of Livestock (1992). The results showed that the implementation of the technical aspects of raising buffalo rearing in West Aceh District was 41.71%, including the application of technical aspects of breeding and reproduction 57.72%, aspects of food 13.74%, aspects of maintenance management 38.58%, health aspects 67.27%, cage and equipment aspects 52.09%. It can be concluded that the implementation of technical aspects of buffalo farming in West Aceh Regency is poor category with the guidelines of the Directorate General of Livestock (1992). From these results it is recommended that the technical aspects of buffalo rearing in West Aceh Regency should be improved in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kumquat or Japanese orange, the smallest tree of the citrus family, grows and gives the best and largest production and the sweetest of fruits in warmer regions. The kumquat has protective importance and a great treat. Several vital metabolic processes, including the delivery and digestion of nutrients, are carried out by the liver., thus we focused on This investigation sought to determine the histological and protective impacts of Kumquat extract in rats given injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The experiment was conducted in a cage for animals. Before the experiment began, all of the rats were given a baseline diet for a week. The rats were then separated into 5 groups, each with 6 rats. The first group was fed a basal diet exclusively for 28 days as a control negative (C -ve) normal group of rats. The rats of the remaining groups (n = 24 rats) were given injections of Ccl4. The groups were split into four groups, with 3 groups receiving ethanol extracts of kumquats in various levels (150, 200, and 250 mg/kg), and one group serving as a control that had the illness but didn't follow the experimental diet. All hepatic rats given different diets exhibited substantial mean value declines as contrasted with the control (+) group, according to the data. As contrasted with the healthy group, group 5 had the best therapy for serum ALP to cause hepatopathy (normal rats). This research advised consuming kumquats, which may be had every day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was done to see the results of rearing Scylla olivacea crabs in cages of different size and embedding depth. The variables under considerations in the assessment were growth and survival rates and physical qualities of the experimental crabs. Additionally, this research aims to find out if the tested methods of confinement could produce better than the conventional culture practices. Three sizes of experimental cages such (45cm-l X45cm-w X60cm-h), (61.0cm-l X61.0 cm-w X75cm-h), and (76cm-l X76cm-w X90cm-h) and three embedding depths such as (30 cm), (45 cm), and (60 cm) labelled as treatment 1, treatment 2 and treatment 3 were tested. On the basis of cage size, highest mean on growth and survival rates of 279 grams and 88.90 % were obtained in treatment 3 followed by treatment 2 with 274.20 grams and 86.40 % and lowest mean of 269.31 grams and 82.25% was obtained from treatment 1. When assessed based on embedding depth highest growth and survival rates of 276.31 and 88.99% were obtained from treatment 3 followed by treatment 2 with 273.81 grams and 87.40% and treatment 1 with 272.71 grams and 81.25% being the lowest. Findings revealed that growth and survival rates obtained from three different cage sizes and three different embedding depths tested were relatively higher than that of what had been recorded and published. It was further noted that survival rates obtained were within the range (80-100%) considered as ideal. Growth and survival rates attained by different treatments were not significantly different. There were also no interaction effects attributed by size and embedding depth of experimental cages. Physical attributes of harvested mangrove crabs that were assessed based on the completeness of appendages, meat content, meat color, odor and taste were all at the mean value described as excellent. It is concluded that the methods of rearing tested improves growth, survival rates and mud crab physical qualities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This commentary discusses the implementation of fasting in nonclinical animal experimental subjects. The short-term removal of food from cages of experimental animals is in all respects innocuous. The term "stress" is ill-defined and the statutes and regulations governing animal research laboratories that exert their authority in the performance of their operations do so without substantive grounds to base compliance. The legislative and administrative history of the implementation of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) has evolved into the development of laboratory management strategies that focus on the reduction of the biological cost of stress to the animals and the determination of when subclinical stress (eustress) becomes distress. Animal welfare is based on the tenet that in laboratories conducting animal research in compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (Title 21 USC, Chapter 13,§58), it is the study protocol and the study director that establish procedures and processes that are approved by each Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee to ensure the humane care and use of animals in research, teaching, and testing and to ensure compliance with guidelines and regulations. This approval process establishes the justification of eustress in the environment that do not rise to the threshold of distress under the AWA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a spatiotemporal deep learning approach for mouse behavioral classification in the home-cage. Using a series of dual-stream architectures with assorted modifications for optimal performance, we introduce a novel feature sharing approach that jointly processes the streams at regular intervals throughout the network. The dataset in focus is an annotated, publicly available dataset of a singly-housed mouse. We achieved even better classification accuracy by ensembling the best performing models; an Inception-based network and an attention-based network, both of which utilize this feature sharing attribute. Furthermore, we demonstrate through ablation studies that for all models, the feature sharing architectures consistently outperform the conventional dual-stream having standalone streams. In particular, the inception-based architectures showed higher feature sharing gains with their increase in accuracy anywhere between 6.59% and 15.19%. The best-performing models were also further evaluated on other mouse behavioral datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prisons are responsible for the social and biological death of the humans trapped within them, the animals whom it coerces prisoners to farm and slaughter, free-living animals displaced by prison building, as well as the ecosystems and waters destroyed by prison effluent which makes the lives of those dependent upon these systems and resources for survival, unliveable. In the context of the Sixth Extinction, the prison is at once one of the most resource intensive institutions contributing to Anthropogenic climate change and biodiversity loss, and paradoxically, in the last two decades, sometimes positioned similarly to zoos as an ecological saviour of threatened species. The most established example of this is the Sustainability in Prisons Project that operates in many United States prisons. Specific to conservation, it trains prisoners - often in partnerships with zoos - to captively rear endangered animals and plants. There is also a zoo located on the grounds of a Florida prison in which prisoners care for abandoned animals, which is open to the public for tours. This article argues that the current initiatives of prison zoos and prison conservation programs reflect the trajectory of animal zoo eras and human zoos, with unique implications: two institutions of captivity, the zoo and the prison, now reify each other under the auspices of ecological conservation - a project whose need and operation continues the racialized and anthropocentric projects that gave it rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the egg industry is experiencing a shift in demand for eggs from cage-free environments. This study aims to evaluate the egg quality parameters of white eggs laid in several different housing environments utilized in the industry. Egg quality parameters from battery cages, barren colony cages, enriched colony cages and cage-free pens were compared. Overall, most egg quality parameters were found to be different across housing environments. Battery cages produced the heaviest eggs and eggs with the highest Haugh unit (p < 0.05). Cage-free hens produced eggs with the darkest yolks, lowest Haugh units, strongest shells and highest solids percentage compared to other environments (p < 0.05). This study did not detect differences between any housing environment in shell color, shell elasticity, vitelline membrane strength or vitelline membrane elasticity (p > 0.05). Moreover, this study did not detect any differences in egg quality parameters between enriched and barren colony cages (p > 0.05). It appears that white egg-laying hens had superior egg quality performance in caged environments and that cage-free pens only improved yolk color. Furthermore, it appears that simply adding enrichments to cages does not affect any egg quality parameters. From the results of our study, we believe that current intensive environments, such as cages, are the most beneficial for white egg layer egg quality and that as the industry moves toward cage-free, new strategies will need to be developed to preserve egg quality. More research is needed, particularly evaluating free-range environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The housing environment has become a critical issue for consumers of eggs and egg products. Therefore, it is imperative to understand how various housing environments can affect the modern laying hen. In this study, alongside the 40th NC layer performance test, four different housing environments were chosen based on industry prevalence, which include conventional cages, barren, enrichable colony cages, enriched colony cages, and cage-free environments. Hens in these environments were raised following standard feeding and lighting practices. This study found that conventional cage and enriched colony cage hens had the highest egg production level, while hens from the barren colony cages had the lowest production level. Feed efficiency followed a similar trend, where conventional cage and cage-free hens had the best feed efficiency, followed by enriched colony cage and barren colony cage hens. This study also found that conventional cage hens had the largest eggs, while cage-free hens had the smallest eggs. Cage-free and conventional cage hens had the lowest mortality rate, while hens in the barren colony cage had the highest mortality rate. From the data shown, it appears that standard, conventional cages provide white egg layers with the most optimal environment for production performance. However, a further evaluation of health and stress is needed to determine which environment provides the hen with optimal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Animal Production & Processing Technology / JurnalIlmu Produksi dan Teknologi Hasil Peternakan is the property of IPB University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Even though chinchillas have been farmed for a century, there are not many studies concerning their behaviour in captivity or their optimal housing conditions, both of which are important factors in the assessment of their welfare. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different cage types on chinchillas' behaviour and their reactions towards humans. Female chinchillas (n = 12) were kept in three types of cages: standard with a wire floor (S); standard with a deep litter floor of shavings (SR); and enlarged with a deep litter floor of shavings (LR). Animals spent 11 weeks in each type of cage. The chinchillas' reactions toward humans were observed via intruder test. Ethograms were prepared based on round-the-clock video recordings. The activity of the chinchillas was compared, taking into account the different cage types and the animals' varying responses to the hand test. The generalized ordered logistic regression model was used to ascertain whether cage type has an effect on a chinchilla's behaviour towards humans. To compare the time distribution of various activity between chinchillas, the non-parametric Scheirer–Ray–Hare test was used. Animals kept in LR cages presented significantly less timid reactions in comparison to those kept in S and SR cages. The chinchillas spent most of their time resting (68% of the day), in locomotion (23%), and eating or drinking (8%); they spent only 1% on grooming behaviour. Cage enrichment generally reduced the fear of humans. However, the average chinchilla response to the hand test was classified in each type of cage as "cautious". Analyses of the ethograms indicated that the chinchillas were active mostly during the dark stage of the day. In conclusion, the larger cage size and its enrichment (particularly litter) reduced the fearfulness and passivity of the animals, which could be evidence of better welfare conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a wide variety of different types of mouse enrichment currently available, some items of which are more practical than others. Validating items used for providing enrichment can be time consuming and costly, nevertheless it is important to ensure that any objects being provided for this purpose are truly offering enrichment opportunities for the animals. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate how a quick and simple cage side assessment can be undertaken to identify which items are most effective as enrichments and whether they offer short- or long-term solutions. The study compared four different types of enrichment, all of which are easily available, in five cages of pair housed 6-monthold CD1 mice. Through this approach, we found that the mice preferred items suspended from the cage lid. Using this information, we have identified a practical and cost-effective solution and confirmed that it maintains novelty over longer periods. This validated enrichment is now being used routinely in the Biomedical Services Unit at the University of Birmingham. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the vast distances separating astronomical objects, multi-generational space travel may eventually become a practicable option in the future. Such an expedition would most likely include companion animals as well. Especially since they are deemed important in assisting humans to cope with stress and anxiety. However, just as with humans, extended periods of confinement would be detrimental to companion animals as well, resulting in psychological, physiological, and behavioural disorders. Already occurring to animals locked up in terrestrial households, it would be an even bigger welfare problem during a life-long journey in a no-way-out confined spaceship. A conceivable solution could be to genetically enhance them to fit the spaceship environment. Assuming that companion animals will be part of future multi-generational space travels, this article aims at examining how such an experience would affect their welfare, even considering the implications of genetic adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the effects of 2.45 GHz microwave radiation on cognitive dysfunction induced by vascular dementia (VaD). Methods: The VaD was induced by bilateral-common carotid occlusion (2-VO). The rats were divided into 4 groups including: control (n = 6), sham (n = 6), 2-VO (n = 8), and 2-VO + Wi-Fi (n = 10) groups. Wi-Fi modem centrally located at the distance of 25 cm from the animal's cages and the animals were continuously exposed to Wi-Fi signal while they freely moved in the cage (2 h/day for forty-five days). Therefore, the power density (PD) and specific absorption rate value (SAR) decreased at a distance of 25 to 60 cm (PD = 0.018 to 0.0032 mW/cm2, SAR = 0.0346 to 0.0060 W/Kg). The learning, memory, and hippocampal synaptic-plasticity were evaluated by radial arm maze (RAM), passive avoidance (PA), and field-potential recording respectively. The number of hippocampal CA1 cells was also assessed by giemsa staining. Results: Our results showed that VaD model led to impairment in the spatial learning and memory performance in RAM and PA that were associated with long-term potentiation (LTP) impairment, decrease of basal-synaptic transmission (BST), increase of GABA transmission, and decline of neurotransmitter release-probability as well as hippocampal cell loss. Notably, chronic Wi-Fi exposure significantly recovered the learning-memory performance, LTP induction, and cell loss without any effect on BST. Conclusions: The LTP recovery by Wi-Fi in the 2-VO rats was probably related to significant increases in the hippocampal CA1 neuronal density, partial recovery of neurotransmitter release probability, and reduction of GABA transmissiSon as evident by rescue of paired-pulse ratio 10 ms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The key goal in biomedical research is a better understanding of disease aetiologies, which ideally results in strategies and recommendations for the prevention of diseases before they arise, and in the development of effective therapies. However, many concerns have been expressed about the reproducibility and the translational validity of preclinical research in animal models to inform clinical trials in humans. It has been proposed that improving internal, external and construct validity of animal studies will lead to improved translatability. Automated behaviour monitoring in the animal's home cage, which allows for longitudinal assessment of individual trajectories over sufficiently long intervals for (chronic) drug treatment or phenotype progression, is a promising solution to these problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PrRP, also known as prolactoliberin, is a bovine hypothalamic extract neurohormone that stimulates prolactin synthesis in a rat pituitary adenoma cell line and lactating rat pituitary cells. PrRP has been shown to control the intake of food and energy expenditure, but it may also have a role in stress sensitivity, reproduction, cardia productivity, secretion of endocrine components, and lately, neuroprotective characteristics, among others. The current study was performed to identify if prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP) had any effect in increasing anxiety clinical features in rats as an animal model. The study included 114 Wistar handling-acclimated male rats (160 gm, 2 months old); divided randomly into three major groups. The rats were divided randomly into three major groups (38-control animals (38C), and 38-PrRP animals (38P), both were examined using the EPM test to test for stress-related signs, such as fear of height (5 mins duration for each rat). The maze was cleaned with water to eliminate the previous rat odor after the experiment for each rat was completed. The tests were performed between 13:00 to 17:00 of the day. Then, a week later, 38 (19-PrRP animals (19P) and 19-control animals (19C)) were examined using the SP test conducted between 13:00 to 16:00 of the day. Fifteen minutes before EPM, the 38C received intranasal 0.9%-10µl NaCl (per nostril), and 38P received intranasal 10-10mol/l-10 µl PrRP (per nostril), and the anxiety-related signs, such as time spent in open arms (less time means more anxious), during the EPM test were recorded. The 19P and 19C received 10-10mol/l-10µl PrRP and 0.9%-10µl NaCl, respectively, (intranasal, per nostril, and 15 minutes before the SP test, where a stranger rat was placed in a specific cage in front of each of the 19P and 19C animals in a separate cage, in which both cages provided visual and olfactory but no confrontational contact). The results showed that PrRP significantly (P<0.05) decreased the time spent by the treated rats on the open arms. In addition, PrRP revealed significant (P<0.05) decreases in the time spent close to the stranger rat, which means increased anxiety levels. The current findings revealed that prolactin-releasing peptide increases anxiety and decreases sociality in the studied male rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strategy of centralizing equipment sanitation and processing was developed by a top-tier public university to address the growing physical infrastructure and human resource challenges of its expanding in-vivo research enterprise. Subsequently, a center for automated equipment processing physically separate from all animal research facilities was developed and has operated consistently since 2016. The facility incorporates systems such as process automation to sanitize and sterilize equipment as efficiently as possible. Analysis of the differences between the new centralized and old distributed research enterprise configurations shows a total estimated fiscal benefit of almost US$54 m to date projected out to US$124 m through 2028. Utility consumption of operations over nine years in the new configuration was estimated to be decreased by over 125 million gallons of water, 14 million gallons of chilled water, 121 million pounds of steam, and almost 3.6 million kilowatts of electricity, with consumption savings significantly increased projected out to 2028. Additional operational and organizational benefits as well as direct research benefits were identified. The new configuration has functioned for nine years without detectable cross contamination within the research enterprise thus providing evidence that the location of equipment processing can be less of a “microbial” risk factor than previously attributed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Nowadays, keeping animals in cage systems is controversial. Regulations and increased consumer awareness are causing cage systems to lose ground in many countries. In the case of Japanese quails bred for both egg and meat production, their maintenance in a non-cage system is very difficult and uneconomical; therefore, they are kept in cages, and, unlike egg-laying hens, the regulations only regulate the basic parameters, such as cage size and access to food and water. Taking this into account, studies have been conducted that indicate that keeping quails in enriched cages improves the birds' welfare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the indicators of the behavioural and physiological welfare of Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) as possible responses to the enrichment of the birds' habitat. The study sample consisted of 280 Japanese quails (224 ♀ and 56 ♂, respectively). Birds of 5 weeks of age were randomly divided into seven equally sized groups and then divided into replication subgroups (four per group, 10 birds in each replication). Birds were maintained in 0.5 m2 cages with unrestricted access to water and food. The experimental factor was the presence or absence of enrichment of the birds' cages: the nest box, scratcher, plastic corrugated pipe (tunnel), limestone cubes, sandbathing box and feeder box with a drilled cover. Quails were subjected to behavioural tests (tonic immobility and open field tests) and, after 6 weeks, blood samples were taken from them to determine their biochemical indices as well as their cortisol and corticosterone levels. An additional element was the assessment of fertility indices. The presence of enrichment was shown to reduce behavioural disturbances in Japanese quails. This study also found that the colour and shape of an object were very important regarding the birds' interest in it. Additionally, individuals kept in enriched cages, who were allowed to exhibit their natural behavioural patterns, had lower stress levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides methodological guidance developed by the EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare to produce Scientific Opinions in response to mandates received from the European Commission in the context of the Farm to Fork Strategy. The mandates relate to the welfare of (i) animals during transport, (ii) calves, (iii) laying hens, (iv) broilers, (v) pigs, (vi) ducks, geese and quails, and (vii) dairy cows. This guidance was developed in order to define the methods and strategy to be applied for responding to the Terms of Reference (ToRs) of the mandates. The mandates each consist of a set of General ToRs which refer to the husbandry systems used in the production of each animal species or the current transport practices for free moving animals and animals transported in cages, and a set of specific ToRs for which difficulties in ensuring animal welfare have been identified and where specific scenarios are envisaged. Part I of the guidance includes a description of welfare consequences for the animals. Part II includes a new methodology for providing quantitative recommendations regarding animal welfare. The proposed methodology follows the assumption that the effect of an exposure variable (e.g. space allowance) on animal welfare can be quantified by comparing the expression of an animal-based measure (ABM) under 'unexposed conditions' (e.g. unlimited space) and under high exposure (e.g. restrictive conditions). The level of welfare as assessed through this ABM can be quantified for different levels of the exposure variable (e.g. at increasing space allowances) and quantitative recommendations can thus be provided. The final version of the methodological guidance was endorsed for public consultation, which took place between 14 February 2022 and 31 March 2022. The comments received are integrated in this document. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2015 Jade Montserrat and Caitlin and Anj Webb-Ellis collaborated on a series of "performance to camera" videos investigating landscapes of the North Yorkshire rural estate on which Montserrat grew up. In Cage Montserrat crouches naked within a fox trap in a dense wood. This piece situates Montserrat within the political ecology of the estate and explores her experiences of entrapment within the frames of whiteness, patriarchy, and imperial history, but that the artists' process for creation and presentation of the work aimed to exceed and start to heal those experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Context: Modernization of 3D printing has allowed for the production of porous titanium interbody cages (3D-pTi) which purportedly optimize implant characteristics and increase osseointegration; however, this remains largely unstudied in vivo.Purpose: To compare osseointegration of three-dimensional (3D) titanium cages without bone graft and Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) interbody cages with autologous iliac crest bone graft (AICBG).Study Design: Animal study utilizing an ovine in vivo model of lumbar fusion.Methods: Interbody cages of PEEK or 3D-pTi supplied by Spineart SA (Geneva, Switzerland) were implanted in seven living sheep at L2-L3 and L4-L5, leaving the intervening disc space untreated. Both implant materials were used in each sheep and randomized to the aforementioned disc spaces. Computed tomography (CT) was obtained at 4 weeks and 8 weeks. MicroCT and histological sections were obtained to evaluate osseointegration.Results: MicroCT demonstrated osseous in-growth of native cancellous bone in the trabecular architecture of the 3D-pTi interbody cages and no interaction between the PEEK cages with the surrounding native bone. Qualitative histology revealed robust osseointegration in 3D-pTi implants and negligible osseointegration with localized fibrosis in PEEK implants. Evidence of intramembranous and endochondral ossification was apparent with the 3D-pTi cages. Quantitative histometric bone implant contact demonstrated significantly more contact in the 3D-pTi implants versus PEEK (p<.001); region of interest calculations also demonstrated significantly greater osseous and cartilaginous interdigitation at the implant-native bone interface with the 3D-pTi cages (p=.008 and p=.015, respectively).Conclusions: 3D-pTi interbody cages without bone graft outperform PEEK interbody cages with AICBG in terms of osseointegration at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively in an ovine lumbar fusion model.Clinical Significance: 3D-pTi interbody cages demonstrated early and robust osseointegration without any bone graft or additive osteoinductive agents. This may yield early stability in anterior lumbar arthrodesis and potentially bolster the rate of successful fusion. This could be of particular advantage in patients with spinal neoplasms needing post-ablative arthrodesis, where local autograft use would be ill advised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the effects of injection botox in masseter muscle on the morphometric measurement of underlying mandible and total body weight change in Sprague Dawley rats. Study Design: Laboratory-based experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Anatomy Department, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, with collaboration with Military Hospital, Rawalpindi and National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, from Jun to Aug 2020. Methodology: Female sprague dawley rats, 10 weeks of age, weighing 200-250 gm were selected. They were housed in separate cages in animal house of NIH under standard laboratory conditions and received regular diet and water ad libitum. Animals were divided into three groups. Group-A served as control while group B and C were experimental groups. Group-B was sham injected whilst group-C was injected by injection botox in left masseter muscle. Initial and final weights of the rats were recorded. All the rats were sacrificed after completion of experimental period. Weight of left mandibles was recorded. All the specimens of mandibles were cleaned and the mandibular length, condylar head length and width were measured by Vernier caliper. Result: Total 30 sprague dawley rats were included in the study. Injection botox decreased the morphometric measurements of the mandible in experimental group-C when compared with control group-A and sham group-B with the statistically significant result (p<0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroscience research in nonhuman primates (NHPs) often requires multiday neural recordings from freely moving animals inside their home cages, making ultralow-power uplinks using wireless backscatter communication highly desirable. Previous work reveals that the channel transfer function (CTF) of a standard NHP home cage in the 915 MHz and 2.4 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) bands resembles a resonant cavity exhibiting deep nulls throughout the cage volume, which are particularly acute for round-trip backscatter paths. In this work, we investigate a novel application of passive antenna mode stirring via switched parasitic antennas (SPAs) to reduce the magnitude and prevalence of deep nulls in the cage CTF. We present a system leveraging four cage-ceiling-mounted SPAs with two dynamically controlled impedance states each, yielding 16 total mode stirring configurations. We compare the frequency-domain power ratio measurements at 126 positions throughout the cage taken with and without passive antenna mode stirring. In the 915 MHz ISM band, the optimized SPA configuration improved the maximum two-way insertion loss in 68% of testing locations, reducing the worst case two-way insertion loss by 60.2 dB. In the 2.4 GHz ISM band, the maximum two-way insertion loss was improved in 53% of testing locations, reducing the worst case two-way insertion loss by 35.6 dB. This approach eliminates the deepest nulls in the cage volume and leads to significantly improved link margin for a backscatter-based wireless brain–computer interface (BCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies ascertained positive effects of enriched environments on the well-being of laboratory animals including behavioral, physiological and neurochemical parameters. Conversely, such conclusions imply impaired animal welfare and health in barren husbandry conditions. Moreover, inappropriate housing of laboratory animals may deteriorate the quality of scientific data. Recommendations for housing laboratory animals stipulate that cages should be enriched to mitigate adverse effects of barren housing. In this context, it is not only unclear what exactly is meant by enrichment, but also how the animals themselves interact with the various items on offer. Focal animal observation of female C57BL/6J mice either housed in conventional (CON) or enriched (ENR) conditions served to analyze the impact of enriching housing on welfare related behavior patterns including stereotypical, maintenance, active social, and inactive behaviors. CON conditions resembled current usual housing of laboratory mice, whereas ENR mice received varying enrichment items including foraging, housing and structural elements, and a running disc. Active and inactive use of these elements was quantitatively assessed. CON mice showed significantly more inactive and stereotypical behavior than ENR mice. ENR mice frequently engaged with all enrichment elements, whereby riddles to obtain food reward and the running disc preferably served for active interactions. Offering a second level resulted in high active and inactive interactions. Structural elements fixed at the cagetop were least attractive for the mice. Overall, the presented data underline the positive welfare benefits of enrichment and that mice clearly differentiate between distinct enrichment types, demonstrating that the perspective of the animals themselves should also be taken into account when specifying laboratory housing conditions. This is particularly important, as the ensuring of animal welfare is an essential prerequisite for reliable, reproducible, and scientifically meaningful results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the effect of fine particulate matter exposure in instigating depressive-like response and total body weight changes in C57BL/6J mice. Study Design: Laboratory-based experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Anatomy Department, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, in collaboration with the Military Hospital, Rawalpindi and the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, from Jun to Sep 2020. Methodology: Thirty male and female C57BL/6 mice, 8 weeks of age, weighing 37 ± 2 gm were obtained from NIH, Islamabad. They were retained in separate cages in the animal house of NIH under standard laboratory conditions. The animals were divided into two groups, 15 mice in each group (8 males and 7 females) Group A was marked as control, received regular diet and water ad libitum. Group B (experimental group) received dynamic inhalation of 3 mg/m³ fine particles (soot) through air circulation for 6h/d for 12 weeks, in a plastic cabin measuring 2x2x2 feet fitted with two small fans for evenly distribution of PM. The initial and final weight of animals was recorded, and a tail suspension test was performed to assess depression in form of immobility. Result: The experimental group after exposure to fine particulate matter showed decreased activity and behavioural deficits with a p-value <0.001 and loss in total body weight as compared to the control group with a p-value <0.001. Conclusion: Fine particulate matter has a significant effect on behaviour and cognition. It also causes a decrease in the total body weight of animals due to stress and agitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outfit of husbandry facilities of, and the enrichment provided for, experimental rodents plays an important role in the animals' welfare, and hence also for the societal acceptance of animal experiments. Whether rats and mice benefit from being provided with running wheels or plates is discussed controversially. Here we present observations from a feeding experiment, where rats were provided a running plate. As a pilot study, six identical cages, with three animals per cage, were filmed for six days, and the resulting footage was screened for the number of bouts and the time the animals spent on the plates. The main activities observed on the plate in descending order were sitting (18.5 ± 13.8 bouts or 8.0 ± 13.7 min/animal per day), standing (10.2 ± 11.6 bouts, 3.8 ± 4.2 min), running (8.2 ± 13.3 bouts, 10.1 ± 21.4 min), grooming (2.0 ± 2.8 bouts, 6.7 ± 25.7 min), sleeping (1.0 ± 2.6 bouts, 24.0 ± 61.8 min) and playing (0.5 ± 0.9 bouts, 0.1 ± 0.5 min). Most of these activities (91% of all bouts, 90% of total time) occurred at night, similar to previous studies on running wheel usage. The running plate seems well-accepted as cage enrichment, even though in further studies, the motivating triggers and the effects of long-term use could be evaluated more in-depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immersion in fiction narratives like Alan Gratz's (2017) Refugee can help students recognize and acknowledge our common humanity when discussed in a dialogic classroom using a critical literacy pedagogy. Following the literature on using novel discussions to help students understand pressing societal issues (e.g., Boas, 2012; Hsieh, 2012; Thein et al., 2011) and guided by critical multicultural analysis (Botelho & Rudman, 2009), a dialogic (Bakhtin, 1981) and critical pedagogy (Freire, 1970) was used to lead a small group of sixthgrade students in biweekly discussions of Refugee. Prior to each of 10 sessions, students wrote dialogue journal entries in response to prompts designed to elicit critical thinking about the events depicted in the novel, which illustrates harrowing ordeals endured by fictional families facing persecution during the Holocaust, in Castro's Cuba, and in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. A thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) of students' writing and researcher field notes revealed students' inherent compassion toward refugees and limited background knowledge of refugees' circumstances. Rich dialogic conversations resulted in demonstrations of empathy and newfound critical knowledge about the worldwide refugee crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laboratory mice are predominantly used for one experiment only, i.e., new mice are ordered or bred for every new experiment. Moreover, most experiments use relatively young mice in the range of late adolescence to early adulthood. As a consequence, little is known about the day-to-day life of adult and aged laboratory mice. Here we present a long-term data set with three consecutive phases conducted with the same male mice over their lifetime in order to shed light on possible long-term effects of repeated cognitive stimulation. One third of the animals was trained by a variety of learning tasks conducted up to an age of 606 days. The mice were housed in four cages with 12 animals per cage; only four mice per cage had to repeatedly solve cognitive tasks for getting access to water using the IntelliCage system. In addition, these learner mice were tested in standard cognitive tests outside their home-cage. The other eight mice served as two control groups living in the same environment but without having to solve tasks for getting access to water. One control group was additionally placed on the test set-ups without having to learn the tasks. Next to the cognitive tasks, we took physiological measures (body mass, resting metabolic rate) and tested for dominance behavior, and attractivity in a female choice experiment. Overall, the mice were under surveillance until they died a natural death, providing a unique data set over the course of virtually their entire lives. Our data showed treatment differences during the first phase of our lifetime data set. Young learner mice showed a higher activity, less growth and resting metabolic rate, and were less attractive for female mice. These effects, however, were not preserved over the long-term. We also did not find differences in dominance or effects on longevity. However, we generated a unique and valuable set of long-term behavioral and physiological data from a single group of male mice and note that our long-term data contribute to a better understanding of the behavioral and physiological processes in male C57Bl/6J mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, titled "To wheel or not to wheel," discusses a study conducted by researchers at the University of Manchester on the implementation of running wheels for overweight prone strains of mice in laboratory settings. The study aimed to monitor the health and welfare of the mice, induce animal enrichment, and reduce obesity. The researchers documented the weight, food, and water consumption of the mice in cages with wheels and control cages without wheels. The results showed that the cages with wheels had a slight weight gain, but the nests were neater and more consistent, indicating potentially reduced stress. The study also found that providing a wheel in the cages decreased stereotypical behavior and increased food and water intake. [Extracted from the article]